Weather not favourable for cloud seeding, says Sabah chief minister

KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft is on standby in Labuan to carry out cloud seeding in Sabah but the weather is not conducive for the mission.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman (pic) said the absence of cumulus clouds over the state had so far prevented any such operations.

“We can only wait and hope for such clouds,” he said, urging religious bodies to hold special prayer sessions to alleviate Sabah’s prolonged dry spell.

In a related development, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said the Meteorological Services Department (MetMalaysia) had provided the RMAF the salt solution needed for the cloud seeding.

“However satellite imagery over the past several days have shown the absence of cumulus clouds over Sabah’s west coast districts,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Musa said firemen with the help of other authorities including Forest Department rangers had been working around the clock to douse out bush and forest fires.

According to the Fire and Rescue Services Department, there were 23 hotspots around the state since April 6.

Acknowledging that fires and the ongoing drought had destroyed food crops including swathes of padi field and fruit trees, Musa said officials from the Agriculture Department had been assessing the damages.

“We will be assisting the affected farmers in the immediate and long term,” Musa added.